NOT only could The Mill Garden be the home of your dreams but its owners could be your next door neighbours too.
Bob and Francis Leonard love the location so much they have built a new house in the grounds.
With four of their five children having flown the nest, it’s time for this very busy and sociable couple to move out of the family home that has been the centre of their lives for the past 19 years.
Francis, 53, an education social worker with Aberdeen City Council said: “It was built as a family house and it needs a family to breath new life into it.
“It’s too big for us now so we are down-sizing.”
When Francis and Bob, 61, got together they each had a daughter and a son from a previous relationship.
Four became five when their son Eliot was born. He is now 17.
“As a community worker Bob was based in Alford and we thought it would be a child-friendly place to live.”
Bob had always wanted to design and build a house but never thought he would have the opportunity to do it.
His dream became a reality purely by chance.
Francis said: “I was at the shops when I looked across the road to where there was an overgrown area.
“I went over and peeked into the garden which was part of the land belonging to the Montgarrie mill, where Alford oatmeal is made.
Francis was so excited about her find that she took Bob along to see it.
“He loved it too and it all unfolded from there.
“The location was perfect and we could see ourselves living there.
“We liked the idea of the walled garden and fruit trees.”
There was only one problem though, it wasn’t for sale.
However, Francis is not one to be put off by a little detail like that.
She said: “Tongue in cheek I said to Bob `Let’s write a letter and say we have fallen in love with their garden and please can we buy it’.”
The couple were gobsmacked when the owners wrote back and said `yes, come and speak to us’.
“Some things are just meant to happen,” said Francis.
They bought the land back in 1988 and building began the following year.
“The house was built with the kids in mind because when you have five kids nobody invites you anywhere.
“We needed somewhere we could invite people to so it needed to be bigger than just for us and somewhere we could socialise.
“We wanted something that fitted our lifestyle at the time so we concentrated on open plan and having plenty of space.
“The emphasis was also on us all being together. We didn’t want to be shut off in different rooms,” said Francis.
“To save money Bob did a huge amount of the work himself only bringing in tradesmen when he needed to.
“When it was finished we were elated and couldn’t believe it was ours, to be honest.”
The Leonard family moved into their new home in April 1990.
For most people a project of this size, with four children in tow, would be enough for anyone to take on but not for Francis.
Not only was she studying for a social work course, she was also planning their wedding and making the bridesmaids’ dresses.
The couple were married on May 18, 1990, and Francis graduated two weeks later.
“Looking back I think ‘how did I do all that’?
“But when you’re in it you do it,” said Francis, laughing.
The Mill Garden is a big, beautiful open plan family home in a stunning location.
Its bright, elegant lounge and dining room runs the length of the house and features an attractive log fire.
French doors open on to a large patio.
An archway leads into the dining kitchen which is fitted with traditional-style base and wall units.
Off the kitchen is a light and airy conservatory with views across the garden.
Also on the ground floor is a study, shower room and two good-sized bedrooms with built-in wardrobes.
Upstairs is the generous-sized master bedroom which has two built-in wardrobes and plenty of space for the addition of an en-suite.
Bedrooms two, three and four are all good-sized double rooms with plenty of storage space.
The large bathroom has been fitted with a four-piece suite which includes a whirlpool bath.
Outside, they redesigned the garden to make it more manageable and Bob built a lovely patio area for al fresco dining.
The Leonards are a couple that plan their life well.
“Designing and moving into this new house has been a life plan,” said Francis.
“We always said it’s what we would do.”